For the first time, Asia boasts seven bars in the global ranking with bars from Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai
Singapore’s Manhattan voted Bols Genever Best Bar in Asia and takes 11th place
Shanghai now has a bar in the list with Speak Low
The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York is crowned the Botran Rum Best Bar in North America & the World
The Baxter Inn of Sydney is announced Ketel One Vodka Best Bar in Australasia for the third year running

On Thursday 6th October, Drinks International announced its highly anticipated World’s 50 Best Bars Awards 2016. The bars were chosen by an Academy of 476 members from 57 countries; the strongest, most diverse collection of industry experts ever assembled to express their view on the best bars in the world.

The list represents the ultimate guide to the top bars and drinking destinations around the globe, with restaurant bars, speakeasies, hotel bars, and tiki themed venues all contributing to the diverse and eclectic list. This year’s ranking includes bars from 27 cities in 19 countries, with 11 new entries.

Asia saw an additional two bars join the top 50 this year to bring the region’s total to seven. The continent is the third most popular region for cocktails after North America and Europe, showing the global spread of cocktail culture.

The Bols Genever Best Bar in Asia award changes hands, with Singapore rivals Manhattan at The Regent Hotel taking the crown from city-neighbour 28 Hongkong Street by just three places. Manhattan at 11 has attracted great attention from Singapore’s cocktail aficionados. Headed by Bar Manager Philip Bischoff, the bar boasts the world’s first in-hotel barrel ageing room and is inspired by the districts of Manhattan Island, NYC.

Now in its sixth year and placed at 14, 28 Hongkong Street is led by a combination of highly regarded industry legends including David Cordoba, Michael Callahan and Zdenek Kastanek. Drinks are renowned for their clean, fresh, flavour-focused approach, all served in a Singapore party environment.

Also in Singapore, Operation Dagger enters the list for the first time at 21. These three exceptional bars represent the very best in fine drinking across the continent, and places Singapore firmly as a leading city in cocktail culture.

Speak Low added a Shanghai bar for the first time and enters just after the Singapore bars at 15. As an impressive first entry to the awards list, the accolade allows the city to receive recognition for its services to the cocktail world.

Tokyo’s legendary High Five is included for a fifth year and ranks at 23. High Five is the brainchild of bartending legend Hidetsuga Ueno, who has built an international reputation for his meticulous approach and eye for detail, carving diamonds out of ice and serving exquisite cocktails.

After entering the list last year, Hong Kong’s Lobster Bar returns at 27. Located in the Shangri-la Hotel, the bar’s lavish surroundings and innovative range of barrel-aged spirits have gained international attention. Hong Kong’s other representative Quinary makes its fourth appearance in the list. In the 24 hour city, Quinary combines futuristic techniques to serve up signature Earl Grey Caviar Martinis, all under the watchful eye of owners Charlene Dawes and Antonio Lai.

New York claims the top spot with The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog, the first time the city has taken the title since 2011. Entering the list originally in 2013 and having been in second place for two consecutive years, the co-owners Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry finally clinched the number one spot.

While London leads the city rankings, the US is home to the most bars on the list, showing their extensive cocktail heritage and buoyant contemporary cocktail scene. This year 14 bars are included and with four New York bars challenging in the top 10. Bars from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago follow New York’s lead to place the US as the number one country on the list.

Overall, Europe continues as the international epicentre for fine drinking, leading the region’s ranking with 22 of its bars included within the list. Once again, London boasted more bars in the top 50 than any other city with nine bars listed overall. The American Bar at The Savoy took second place and is named Tanqueray Best Bar in Europe, with other hotel bars following closely: Dandelyan from the Mondrian London, and Connaught Bar at The Connaught.

Australia’s bar culture continues to compete on the global scale with three bars in the top 50, making it the joint third most successful country. Sydney’s The Baxter Inn took the prize as the Ketel One Vodka Best Bar in Australasia for a third year, and was joined by Bulletin Place and Black Pearl.

Representatives from the world’s leading bars flew into the capital to attend the Awards at Christ Church Spitalfields in London, along with internationally renowned industry figures and celebrity supporters. The World’s 50 Best Bars is the most influential and respected global survey of its kind. The awards are the result of an international industry survey produced by Drinks International, the leading magazine for the global drinks industry.